Danny Christians, Ward 81 councillor
I became a Covid-19 statistic last month.
Winter months always bring about all kinds of illnesses.
It is for this reason that I gave very little attention to the signs of Covid-19.
The fact that many residents came to my offices and house during the national Covid-19 lockdown to seek advice on municipal and personal issues brought the virus to me.
In early June, I began losing my appetite and had severe body aches.
I lost all interest in life as I have been pinned inside my house.
I found it very difficult to move around with almost no energy in my body.
With my temperature well over 38°C, I finally found the courage to go to Melomed Hospital, in Eastridge on Friday June 19.
After waiting for almost five hours for the medical staff to attend to me they finally took a sample from my mouth.
I was then released from hospital.
It took another 48-hours before it was confirmed that I had Covid19.
With guidance and medication from my doctor, I overcame the severity of the virus. The virus has also infected my life partner.
This experience has taught me to wear my mask at all times, keep my physical distance from those in search of help and apply the preventative instructions and not to spread the disease.
To do all of this, we must be in the right frame of mind and accept that Covid-19 is real and here to stay for the ensuing months.
Most Mitchell’s Plain residents appear to be arrogant about the virus, which has led to people being exposed to it.
Not wearing face masks, not keeping your distance from others and not washing your hands regularly only increases the spread of Covid-19.
Staying at home means protecting your family, your community and others.
We are weak in taking responsibility. Everybody must understand their responsibilities. If not, they will get infected – do not blame the state.
Stopping Covid-19 does not lie in the amount of hospital beds and field hospitals. This virus will only be stopped by our own actions – each of us and all of us pulling together.
Do the right thing by not endangering the lives of others.
We are infecting each other by not adhering to lockdown regulations.
As it stands, positive cases are on the increase.
Testing, tracing, ventilation and quarantining are important to prevent the spread of the virus.
The City of Cape Town and the provincial government must be complimented for their tireless efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
It is predicted that Covid-19 cases will reach 300 000 by the end of August. I implore all residents to adhere to the lockdown regulations and not to become a statistic.
I am truly thankful that I am a survivor of this dreadful disease.
I mourn for the families, who have lost loved ones due to Covid19 and wish those infected a speedy recovery.
All three my offices will remain closed until further notice.